Editor’s note: Hey, hey! Our team at Blackwood has launched a podcast calledThe Big Brand Theory! This episode, our host, Ryan Zerfas, actually became the guest. If you’d prefer to listen to the episode where Ryan & Anna Letens, former Blackwood executive assistant, talk about LinkedIn, you can do so at this link. Enjoy!!
There are so many social media platforms on the market right now that it’s kind of ridiculous! However, if there’s one platform that every business professional should have, it’s LinkedIn. It’s so much more than social media, too – it’s a place to build real-life working relationships. Ready to learn more? Let’s dive in.
What the heck is LinkedIn?
To mustached marketing man Ryan Zerfas, LinkedIn is “a place to connect, to grow, to learn, to market yourself and brand yourself.” The platform describes itself as “the world’s largest professional network.” Essentially, it’s a social media platform geared towards working professionals looking to expand their business networks. It’s a great way to meet people from all over the world in every industry possible!
Who should be on LinkedIn?
This is sort of a broad question, because everybody has a place on the platform! However, for the most part, business professionals (especially those who love networking) and people in the workforce should definitely have profiles. If you have a job, you should think about being on LinkedIn!
It’s also beneficial for students looking to make future connections for when they enter the workforce. Basically, everyone belongs on LinkedIn, but some people love it more than others. For example, Ryan Zerfas, VP of Customer Success here at Blackwood, loooooooooves LinkedIn. In fact, he posts pretty much every day – and he sees a lot of great engagement from it! It’s a great way to expand your personal audience and gain more professional connections (and maybe make some sales while you’re at it).
There are a few best practices for your LinkedIn profile:
- Have a good profile picture.
Put a face to the name! A good profile picture (that shows your face – no cheating!) is a great place to start when you’re trying to connect with someone you don’t know on the platform. Additionally, as with every social media platform, it’s great to distinguish yourself from bot accounts. Get in a well-lit room, pull out your phone, and snap a selfie!
2. Fill in as much “About Me” information as possible!
Because the app is all about making connections, it’s important to include some basic information about yourself; it serves not only as a conversation starter, but also boosts your credibility by showing some of your work history and industry experience.
3. Get all five stars.
LinkedIn rates your profile with a star system for how complete your information is. This includes steps like adding a profile and cover photo, adding a bio, and several other profile-boosting tasks. Aim for the All-Star rating – it’s a nice little pat on the back, and it gives people the information they need about you!
How often should you be posting on LinkedIn?
You don’t have to post every day, but it’s not the worst idea. (As long as you’re adding value, not noise!) Personal accounts can probably get away with posting more often, whereas business pages should stick to a once or twice-weekly posting schedule.
A great way to keep track of your posting is by assigning different themes to different days. For example, Ryan does a weekly #meetmonday where he introduces a professional in the Michiana area! A hashtag is so simple, yet so effective, and keeping up with a series is much easier sometimes than continually generating unique content.
What should people who are in sales specifically keep in mind about the platform?
While it can be a great place to find new clients, it’s best to get to know people before springing your spiel on them. It may seem like we’re stating the obvious, but most people with LinkedIn profiles have probably experienced at least one random DM trying to make a sale. (editor’s note: happens to me allllll the time.) Before you start a business relationship, maybe start with an acquaintance. Get to know people through the site’s messaging platform and then consider pitching your product or service. Some things just take time!
Overall, LinkedIn is a great place for posting content, but it’s also a great place to learn more about your industry (and others) as well as interact with other people in your area or in your professional realm. If you’re not already on LinkedIn, it may be time to give it a try! Add it in to your existing marketing strategy, or give us a call if it’s time for an upgrade.
If your current digital marketing strategy just isn’t cutting it anymore, you’ve come to the right place. Reach out to our team of experts here at Blackwood Creative. We’re in the business of building remarkable brands – and yours could be next. Contact us today!
Interested in listening to this episode and more of The Big Brand Theory Podcast? Visit this web page for streaming options!
